faminehttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/taxonomy/term/8652/all
enAid agencies warn of famine in South Sudanhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/20909
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<p>A group of leading aid agencies warn that parts of South Sudan could fall into famine early next year if the nine-month long conflict escalates as expected.</p>
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<p>A group of leading aid agencies warn today (6 October) that parts of South Sudan – already the world’s worse food crisis – could fall into famine early next year if the nine-month long conflict escalates as expected. </p>
<p>The agencies fear that efforts this year to prevent the crisis from deteriorating will falter as rival sides are regrouping ready to resume violence once the rainy seasons ends this month. The number of people facing dangerous levels of hunger is expected to increase by 1 million between January and March next year. </p>
<p>In a report launched today, <em>From Crisis to Catastrophe</em> the aid agencies call for neighbouring governments and the wider international community to redouble diplomatic efforts to put real pressure on the parties to the conflict to end the fighting, including an arms embargo. They say that so far, the international community’s ‘softly-softly’ approach to the peace talks has failed to secure a meaningful cease-fire. </p>
<p>They also add that there needs to be an increase in both the quantity and quality of the aid effort. </p>
<p>Tariq Reibl, head of Oxfam programme in South Sudan said: “If famine comes to South Sudan it will come through the barrel of a gun. This is a man-made crisis not one caused by the vagaries of the weather and though humanitarian aid is vital, it cannot fix a political problem. The international community is much better at saving lives than it is at helping solve the political problems that put lives in peril. Nine months of the softly-softly approach to peace negotiations has failed. If the international community really wants to avert a famine then it has to make bold diplomatic efforts to bring both sides to end the fighting.” </p>
<p>The aid agencies said that a mixture of significant aid, a lull in the fighting due to the wet season and the ability of the South Sudanese to cope with hardship, has managed to stave off a famine for the moment. However they warned that now that the wet season is over, an upsurge in fighting is likely, setting back any gains made in the last few months and potentially pushing areas into famine by March 2015. </p>
<p>Since the current round of conflict began in South Sudan in December 2013, the country has been pushed to the brink of disaster. However the international aid effort has saved thousands of lives, much of it generously funded by the US, the UK and the EU who have given 60 per cent of the total funding. The UN Mission in South Sudan has opened its compounds to around 100,000 civilians, saving them from ethnic violence, and peace negotiations led by South Sudan’s neighbours have come close to brokering a deal. </p>
<p>Looking back over 2014, Aimee Ansari head of CARE in South Sudan said: “South Sudan only just missed falling into famine this year. Partly this was due to the aid effort but much of it is due to the strength, resilience and generosity of the South Sudanese people themselves. </p>
<p>“But they are now at the end of their tether. You can only sell all your livestock once. Eating seeds meant for planning keeps the gnawing hunger away for the moment, but it is mortgaging the future to meet the desperate needs of the present. The people of South Sudan did what they could to survive this year – but that means they will be vulnerable next year. They need to see an end to the fighting so normal life can resume.” </p>
<p>Many of the 1.4 million people displaced from their homes are facing an uncertain future. The fighting has disrupted markets and pushed up food prices. Fishermen have been barred from rivers, cattle herders have had their cattle stolen, or been forced to sell them off cheaply. The expected upsurge in fighting once the rains have ended in October will tip many over the edge. </p>
<p>The aid agencies called for donor governments to fully support the UN’s appeals for humanitarian work in South Sudan and the refugee crisis in neighbouring countries. They also said that the quality of aid needs to be improved. It needs to be delivered where people are, rather than where it is easier to reach. And it needs to build on the way people cope with the crisis and enable them to face any future crisis better prepared. </p>
<p>The aid agencies also called on all the government of South Sudan, the opposition and other armed groups to immediately stop fighting and work towards a long-term, sustainable peace deal. All their forces need to stop attacks against civilians, end the use of child soldiers and allow humanitarian workers safe access to people needing their help. </p>
<p>* The aid agencies concerned are: Oxfam, CARE International, Cafod, International Rescue Committee, Food for the Hungry, MAG (Mines Advisory Group), Trócaire, Mercy Corps, Caritas Switzerland, Concern Worldwide, Relief International, Tearfund, World Vision. </p>
<p>* More on <em>From Crisis to Catastrophe</em> here: <a href="http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/bn-from-crisis-to-catastrophe-food-security-south-sudan-061014-summ-en.pdf" title="http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/bn-from-crisis-to-catastrophe-food-security-south-sudan-061014-summ-en.pdf">http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/bn-from-crisis-...</a></p>
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Living EconomyPeace and NonviolenceNews Briefaid agenciesfaminefood crisisSouth SudanWorld NewsMon, 06 Oct 2014 08:48:46 +0000agency reporter20909 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukSocial entrepreneur takes Tearfund prize for rural women in Burmahttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19224
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<p>Today, the International Day of Rural Women (15 October), a social entrepreneur from Burma celebrates her award-winning status as a creative rural woman.</p>
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<p>Today, the International Day of Rural Women (15 October), a social entrepreneur from Myanmar will celebrate her recent award-winning status as a creative rural woman.</p>
<p>The Rev Mai Ki, the first ordained female minister of the Mara Evangelical Church in Myanmar and Tearfund Inspired Individual, was awarded the annual prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life by the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) for her work to tackle poverty and famine in formerly oppressed Chin State, Myanmar - which many opponents of the regime there still prefer to call Burma. </p>
<p>Mai Ki grew up in an illiterate farming family in a remote village in Burma. Blessed with exceptional talents and skills, and through sheer perseverance, she progressed to obtain a Masters in Theology in India. However her heart remained in the hill country rural villages of Burma, an area oppressed by the Burmese military regime for many years and recently victim of a severe famine, and she returned there after completing her studies.</p>
<p>With a spirit and passion for social interventions and female empowerment, Mai Ki has inspired and led a number of other community based initiatives to tackle poverty, including promoting animal husbandry, community healthcare projects, skills and training courses and disaster and management relief. Her work has a strong emphasis on women taking the lead in developing themselves and their families.</p>
<p>The award honours creative and courageous women around the world for their contributions to improving the quality of life in rural communities, for protecting the environment, imparting knowledge and standing up for human rights, development and peace. Since it was established in 1994, WWSF has awarded 395 prizes in over 120 countries.</p>
<p>Because of her work to tackle poverty through social enterprise in Myanmar, Mai Ki was selected to be part of Tearfund’s Inspired Individuals initiative in 2012. The Inspired Individuals Initiative seeks to identify, resource and connect social entrepreneurs – change agents whose unique vision has the potential to transform the lives of thousands of people living in poverty.</p>
<p>“We could not be more proud of Mai Ki,” said Gary Swart, Inspired Individuals Director at Tearfund. “We’re incredibly pleased that other organisations like WWSF are starting to recognise her hard work and dedication to people living in poverty, she truly is an inspiration.”</p>
<p>“I feel really great hope,” said Mai Ki. “God is answering the prayers of believers in Myanmar. As a rural woman, wherever I go I see people having hope and trusting each other. We don’t have change yet, but in our hearts, we do."</p>
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Beliefs and ValuesLiving EconomyNews Briefburmacommunity developmentfamineMyanmarpovertyruralsocial enterpriseTearfundwomenwwsfWorld NewsTue, 15 Oct 2013 17:19:06 +0000agency reporter19224 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukFewer Somali refugees, but famine remains serious for manyhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15784
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<p>With rainfall, increased aid and military operations in Somalia, the movement of migrants has declined, but the overall situation remains serious.</p>
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<p>With rainfall, increased humanitarian aid and military operations inside Somalia, the movement of migrants into Dadaab, the world's biggest refugee complex, has greatly declined, a Christian relief agency official says - <em>writes Fredrick Nzwili</em>.</p>
<p>Moses Mukhwana, Dadaab project coordinator of the Lutheran World Federation, spoke to ENInews days after the United Nations reported that famine had receded in the three areas of Somalia previously described as the worst affected.</p>
<p>"There is already reduced agency work and presence in the camp. We are only addressing critical humanitarian needs," said Mukhwana.</p>
<p>The UN has reported that in three areas of southern Somalia, those needing relief are now about 250,000, compared to 750,000 three months ago. With the improvements, Dadaab officials say they have seen fewer arrivals compared to three months ago, when more than 1,000 refugees arrived daily. The camp holds nearly 500,000 people.</p>
<p>Seasonal rains that began in October and usually end in December or January have enabled planting of seeds for food crops and cultivation and restocking of livestock as pastureland begins to grow. Rivers are flowing again, but rain in some areas has been above the normal average and has caused flooding.</p>
<p>"The rains and relief aid have improved lives in some parts, but people are still in need (of assistance) because the crop harvest is not expected until February or March," said Bishop Giorgio Bertin, the apostolic administrator of Mogadishu and the president of Caritas Somalia, in an email interview. "Unfortunately, with lots of rains, some areas are in flood."</p>
<p>On 18 November 2011, Valerie Amos, UN under-Secretary General for humanitarian affairs, welcomed the news that humanitarian assistance had impacted positively on Somalia. </p>
<p>She described the progress as fragile and stressed that it needed to be sustained, while expressing concern about the critical situation in Mogadishu. </p>
<p>"Increased insecurity, looting and other violence, high malnutrition rates and disease mean that we remain focused on the best way to scale up our relief efforts well into 2012," said Amos in a statement.</p>
<p>Some relief agencies had feared increased violence after Kenyan troops crossed into Southern Somalia to fight al-Shabab, an extremist Islamic group that Kenya accuses of abducting its nationals, foreign aid workers and tourists. Agencies say the situation still remains critical with nearly four million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.</p>
<p>[With acknowledgements to ENInews. <a href="http://www.eni.ch/">ENInews</a>, formerly Ecumenical News International, is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the Conference of European Churches.]</p>
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Living EconomyNews BrieffamineLutheran World FederationrefugeesSomaliSomaliaWorld NewsThu, 24 Nov 2011 04:42:14 +0000ENInews15784 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukGovernments called on to tackle the root causes of global hungerhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15571
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<p>Oxfam has called upon governments meeting at the UN’s Committee on World Food Security in Rome to tackle the root causes of hunger.</p>
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<p>International development agency Oxfam has called upon governments meeting at the UN’s Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in Rome to show the political will and take action to tackle the root causes of hunger.</p>
<p>With more than 13 million people in dire need of food in the Horn of Africa, food prices set to remain high and volatile, and almost a billion people going to bed hungry every day, Oxfam believes it is clear that existing policies and responses are inadequate to solve the problem.</p>
<p>The CFS, which meets from 17 – 22 October 2011, is the global forum where major decisions should be made to tackle hunger. It is the only place in which all governments, civil society, international institutions and the private sector can formally negotiate and coordinate measures to eliminate hunger and ensure food security for all.</p>
<p>“The CFS holds our best hope of ushering in a new era of cooperation that ensures that everybody has enough to eat today and in the future – a system of multilateral rules that will enable governments to act collectively in the global interest, resolve conflict, align policies and allocate resources effectively,” said Barbara Stocking, chief executive of Oxfam.</p>
<p>“We know it is possible to reduce hunger dramatically – countries like Brazil and Vietnam have shown how it can be done. What is lacking is adequate political will by all governments to take bold decisions and address the root causes of hunger,” she added. </p>
<p>Oxfam is calling on the CFS to agree urgent and ambitious actions to address the causes of hunger and reduce food price volatility by scrapping harmful biofuels targets, subsidies and tariffs which are turning food into fuel, regulating commodities markets to curb excessive speculation and increasing food reserves in poor countries so they can cope with shocks and extremes in prices.</p>
<p>At the same time, regulation of investments, improved land governance to stop land grabs, and a commitment to increase gender equality in agriculture are needed, along with a massive increase in public investment in small scale sustainable agriculture, starting by fully delivering the $22 billion pledged at the G8 in L’Aquila in 2009 to help countries feed themselves.</p>
<p>“The high and volatile food prices that we are experiencing today reflect the failure to address the root causes of instability and hunger after the 2007/8 food price crisis. Unfulfilled promises of additional funding and ‘sticking plaster’ approaches are not going to solve the global food crisis, the current emergency in the Horn of Africa or prevent a future catastrophe if we continue as we are,” said Stocking.</p>
<p>The CFS is due to adopt the first international instrument on land governance, an important first step in stopping the growing problem of land grabs. The negotiations on the guidelines have taken place over the last week and are very close to completion, but Oxfam is concerned that negotiations were not finalised in time for the scheduled adoption today</p>
<p>“The dedication of governments and civil society organisations to reach an agreement on land tenure is very impressive. The guidelines provide a clear indication to empower indigenous peoples and local communities. We also welcome the recognition of women’s land rights, customary tenure and common property. Once the guidelines are adopted, the CFS must set a clear path for the implementation and ensuring that they bring real change to the lives of poor communities”, said Duncan Pruett, Oxfam Policy Adviser on land.</p>
<p>Since 2006, international food prices have twice risen sharply. After the food crisis of 2007/2008, prices fell in the second half of 2009 but increased again from mid-2010, reaching their highest ever levels in February 2011. High and volatile prices are expected to remain in the coming year if no ambitious and coordinated responses are developed.</p>
<p>The World Bank estimates that 44 million people fell below the poverty line in the second half of 2010 due to high food prices, and research for Oxfam’s GROW campaign indicates that the price of staple foods such as maize could more than double in the next 20 years. Poor households, which spend up to three-quar­ters of their income on food, are worst affected by the crippling price hikes.</p>
<p>Women produce up to 80 per cent of food in some poor countries yet are less likely to own their own land, often toil in the least productive areas and receive little financial or agricultural support. While welcoming the CFS focus on gender equality, Oxfam warns that it must be integrated into all discussions at the CFS to ensure that women’s rights and needs are not marginalised or addressed in isolation.</p>
<p>“Investing in women farmers is crucial for increased production and to feed humanity. Women must also have equal access and control over land. Ensuring gender equality, advancing women’s human rights and putting women’s needs at the centre of policies is necessary if we are to achieve the right to food for all,” said CEO Stocking. </p>
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Living EconomyNews BriefCommittee on World Food SecurityfamineHungeroxfamworld food crisisWorld NewsMon, 17 Oct 2011 15:09:52 +0000agency reporter15571 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukWorld church leaders exposed to awful scale of African famine http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15375
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<p>The World Council of Churches' Executive Committee, meeting in Addis Ababa, have seen directly the impact of the regional humanitarian crisis.</p>
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<p>The World Council of Churches' Executive Committee opened its bi-annual meetings this week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a series of welcomes from local church leaders and poignant and detailed presentations on the regional humanitarian crisis in Somalia and neighbouring countries.</p>
<p>Recognizing that the influence of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has brought Christians closer together, Abune Paulos, patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, welcomed the Executive Committee by saying the WCC “must continue and endure for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”.</p>
<p>“I can assure you that we will continue to uphold you in our prayers,” Rev Dr Idosa Wakseyoum, president of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (Lutheran) said in his opening remarks. “We are the body of Christ and each one of us is a part of it.”</p>
<p>Both churches are members of the WCC fellowship of 349 churches around the world. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is a founding member of the WCC, and Paulos is the WCC president representing the Oriental Orthodox churches.</p>
<p>Church and ecumenical leaders from Addis Ababa attended the opening ceremony as did WCC Executive Committee members, regional aid workers and local press.</p>
<p>General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Rev Dr Andre Karamaga, welcomed the committee by thanking the WCC “for having contributed enormously to our struggle for freedom, and we trust this support … will continue in this era, when our dignity is our top priority.”</p>
<p>The Executive Committee will spend the week reviewing the work of the WCC. Members will deliberate over budget, programme, policy and issues of public concern.</p>
<p>A particular concern brought to the forefront during the ceremony was the famine in Somalia which is impacting the entire Horn of Africa region, including Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti.</p>
<p>Robert Hedley of Brot fur die Welt (Bread for the World, Germany), Yilikal Shiferaw of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission, and Dr Agnes Abuom, WCC Executive Committee member from Kenya, all spoke passionately about the situation.</p>
<p>The crisis has been caused by a combination of ongoing conflicts, drought, poor access to food, poverty and climate change.</p>
<p>“There must be a road to peace through Somalia,” Hedley said after describing the details of the situation in Somalia that has been known in the region for more than a year but has received international press attention only in the past several months.</p>
<p>Shiferaw said some 4.5 million people require assistance with emergency food and non-food needs of approximately 400 million US dollars necessary just for July through December of this year.</p>
<p>Another 3.2 million dollars are required to cover other needs such as health, sanitation, water, education and agriculture, he said.</p>
<p>“This is the worst famine in 60 years according to the UN,” Abuom said in her report. “The dignity of the people in this region has been compromised by the lack of peace and justice,” she added.</p>
<p>“Did we really have to have famine?” Abuom asked, noting that this crisis has also led to an increase in violence between communities.</p>
<p>Hedley also questioned the reality of a famine in the 21st century. “It is almost a shame for us to be talking about famine at this time,” he said.</p>
<p>The Executive Committee will be taking up questions about Somalia along with their other work during their deliberations. The WCC has been involved in responding to the crisis through the ACT Alliance.</p>
<p>“Our world is experiencing great needs and great change seemingly all at once,” the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, WCC General Secretary, said in his opening remarks. “This is no less true here in the African context with the desperate situation in the Horn of Africa and political change in northern Africa.”</p>
<p>“The world is in need of the common witness of Christ’s church at this urgent moment,” he decalred.</p>
<p>The World Council of Churches Executive Committee meetings end Friday, 16 September. </p>
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Living EconomyNews BriefEthiopiaethiopianfaminehorn of africahumanitarian crisisHungerSomaliawccworld council of churchesWorld NewsWed, 14 Sep 2011 10:04:35 +0000agency reporter15375 at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk World Service 'lifeline' broadcasts to Horn of Africahttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15312
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<p>The BBC World Service has launched special radio broadcasts to serve the Somali-speaking population affected by famine and drought in the Horn of Africa.</p>
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<p>The BBC World Service has launched special radio broadcasts to serve the Somali-speaking population affected by famine and drought in the Horn of Africa. The purpose of the daily 15-minute radio programmes by BBC Somali is to help people to make informed decisions that may help them to survive the famine.</p>
<p>At 14.15 local time (11.15 GMT) every day, Gurmad (Rescue) on BBC Somali delivers special news bulletins, practical information and expert advice for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). It will also reach those who have stayed in their home towns and villages.</p>
<p>The editor of BBC Somali, Yusuf Garaad Omar, comments: "We have been covering the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa since it started to unfold, and our reporters were overwhelmed with questions and suggestions on relief aid – or lack of it. So we decided to devote a special programme to address these issues, and as a majority of those affected are Somali-speakers, it was also obvious that BBC Somali is the right channel to reach these people. We hope that timely, up-to-date information, provided by experts, about issues these people are facing every day, will help them survive this crisis. We will do our best to maintain the supply of such knowledge to all those who are in need of it."</p>
<p>Particularly aimed at the refugees in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen, as well as IDPs in Mogadishu and other locations in Somalia, the lifeline broadcasts bring a wealth of information on how to get access to food aid and health services, on safety on the roads, advice on legal matters, nutrition, water and sanitation.</p>
<p>News bulletins with the latest on the relief efforts and humanitarian situation are followed by interviews and reports by the BBC's correspondents across the region. Along with giving listeners a platform to share their experiences, a special slot in the programme channels their questions to aid workers, doctors and authorities.</p>
<p>Gurmad also informs the Somali diaspora, who are willing to contribute to the international relief effort, about the type of need required as well as on where and how the assistance is distributed.</p>
<p>Available on shortwave and BBC FM relays across the Horn of Africa, Gurmad is also re-broadcast by the BBC's partner radio stations: Kenya's Star FM, whose network covers Dadaab refugee camp and Mogadishu; Shabelle FM in Mogadishu, Somalia; and the private Somali network, SBC. Gurmad also features on a special index on <a href="http://www.bbcsomali.com" title="http://www.bbcsomali.com">http://www.bbcsomali.com</a>, in text and audio.</p>
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Beliefs and ValuesNews Briefbbc world servicedroughtfaminehorn of africaSomaliaWorld NewsFri, 02 Sep 2011 08:44:13 +0000agency reporter15312 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukWCC chief calls for urgent action in the Horn of Africahttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15261
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<p>The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches has expressed alarm at the blocking and hindering of food supplies in famine-struck Somalia.</p>
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<p>The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches has expressed alarm at the “blocking and hindering of the food supply in famine-struck Somalia, with the effect that more and more people are dying. This interference with humanitarian aid is inhumane and must be strongly condemned.”</p>
<p>The Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit made his remarks to staff gathered at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, which houses the WCC and other international organisations. </p>
<p>The WCC General Secretary went on to say, “Recent reports indicate that 400,000 children are at risk of death if action is not taken now. People of all ages are dying, hour by hour. Governments must find workable solutions to the political circumstances that hinder the delivery of water, food and other supplies.”</p>
<p>He continued, “The famine is a human tragedy that should be addressed immediately, regardless of political struggles in a given nation. The international community, including African churches and all church-related relief agencies, must move swiftly to make assistance available. Innocent lives are at stake.”</p>
<p>Tveit voiced WCC support for its partners in Somalia and throughout the Horn of Africa, particularly the ACT Alliance, an alliance of 111 churches and agencies working in humanitarian assistance, advocacy and development.</p>
<p>He concluded, “The World Council of Churches calls upon churches, specialised ministries and generous individuals to lend financial support to the work of the ACT Alliance and its member organisations. At this crucial time, it is essential that we remember to keep all the people of the Horn of Africa in our prayers.”</p>
<p>* Website of the ACT Alliance - <a href="http://www.actalliance.org/" title="http://www.actalliance.org/">http://www.actalliance.org/</a></p>
<p>* WCC work for ecumenical solidarity - <a href="http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/justice-diakonia-and-responsibility-for-creation/ecumenical-solidarity-and-regional-relations.html" title="http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/justice-diakonia-and-responsibility-for-creation/ecumenical-solidarity-and-regional-relations.html">http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/justice-diakonia-and-responsibili...</a></p>
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Beliefs and ValuesLiving EconomyNews Brieffaminehorn of africaSomaliawccworld council of churchesWorld NewsFri, 19 Aug 2011 14:24:43 +0000agency reporter15261 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukRawlings in emotional appeal for famine-hit Somaliahttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15134
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<p>The African Union envoy to Somalia, Jerry Rawlings, has made an emotional appeal to the world to provide emergency aid to the famine-hit region.</p>
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<p>The African Union envoy to Somalia, Jerry Rawlings, has made an emotional appeal to the world to provide emergency aid to the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.</p>
<p>As over ten million people face starvation resulting from the worst famine in 60 years. Rawlings, former president of Ghana, told Channel 4 News on 20 July 2011 that "a miracle is needed - not from our good Lord, but from international governments."</p>
<p>The United Nations has declared the situation in southern Somalia an international emergency. Tens of thousands have already died, the latest verified statistics show. </p>
<p>Clearly moved close to tears by the terrible plight of families and children he had witnessed earlier in the day, the AU envoy said it was vital that people overcame prejudices about the Horn of Africa based on reports of piracy, criminality and corruption. </p>
<p>Rawlings had received assurances, he said, that aid coming into the region would be given right of passage - and the governments of the region were under both pressure and obligation to oblige. </p>
<p>In October 2010, African Union chief Jean Ping appointed Jerry Rawlings, now aged 63, to the task of "mobilising the continent and the rest of the international community to fully assume its responsibilities and contribute more actively to the quest for peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia."</p>
<p>The drought affected areas are Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan.</p>
<p>In the UK, the Disasters Emergency Committee is coordinating joint relief fundraising efforts, and is making it clear that "your donations can help provide life saving aid such as food, water, care for malnourished children and medical treatment". </p>
<p>* Online donations can be made at: <a href="https://www.donate.bt.com/DEC/dec_form_eaca.html?p_form_id=DEC02" title="https://www.donate.bt.com/DEC/dec_form_eaca.html?p_form_id=DEC02">https://www.donate.bt.com/DEC/dec_form_eaca.html?p_form_id=DEC02</a></p>
<p>* The UNICEF appeal (for international readers) can be found at: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3b7mxpl" title="http://tinyurl.com/3b7mxpl">http://tinyurl.com/3b7mxpl</a></p>
<p>[Ekk/3]</p>
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Living EconomyNews Briefdisasters emergency committeedroughtEast Africafamineghanahorn of africahumanitarian reliefjerry rawlingsSomaliaWorld NewsWed, 20 Jul 2011 18:27:13 +0000staff writers15134 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukKenya asked to open empty refugee camp as crisis worsenshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15091
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<p>Christian Aid has called on the Kenyan government to open a refugee camp that is currently standing empty to cope with the 1,400 new daily arrivals.</p>
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<p>UK-based international development agency Christian Aid has called on the Kenyan government to open a refugee camp that is currently standing empty to cope with the 1,400 new daily arrivals, mostly women and children, fleeing drought and conflict in neighbouring Somalia.</p>
<p>The Ifo II camp, complete with new water tanks, lavatories and health care facilities, was initially built as an overflow for Dadaab, the world’s biggest refugee camp.</p>
<p>Dadaab was designed to shelter 90,000 people, but now has a population of 380,000, with more arriving every day. Ifo II stands unused, however, and the Kenyan government have expressed concerns about the longer term impacts if large of numbers refugees are unable to return home.</p>
<p>The head of Christian Aid’s humanitarian division, Nick Guttmann, who today visited Dadaab, where Christian Aid works through the Lutheran World Federation, commented: "We are grateful for all the Kenyan Government is already doing to help the growing numbers of refugees, and for allowing them enter Kenya without hindrance; but conditions in Dadabb are extremely difficult."</p>
<p>"The numbers arriving are overwhelming and basic services are insufficient. Most people have been walking for weeks on end and are in a very poor state of health," he continued.</p>
<p>"Many only make the very difficult and arduous journey to Dadaab when their last animals have died and they have no other choice. It is essential that the new camp, Ifo II, is opened up as soon as possible as part of the urgent humanitarian response to the worsening situation affecting both those arriving in camps and communities across the region. In the longer term, sustainable solutions must be found," said Mr Guttmann.</p>
<p>Antonio Guterres, head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has called the drought, now affecting more than 11 million people in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, "the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today [which is] turning into a human tragedy of unimaginable proportions."</p>
<p>In the UK, Christian Aid is part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal which has so far raised more than £13 million to help drought victims.</p>
<p>DEC Chief Executive Brendan Gormley declared: "The UK public have donated the equivalent of £1 for each of the 10 million people in need in East Africa. A British pound can provide an emergency food parcel to feed a family in Kenya or Somalia for a week. We want people to know their generosity is making a difference.”</p>
<p>He added: "The more money we raise, the more lives we can save in the short term, and the more help we can give people to rebuild their lives in the long term. It’s vital that people keep giving."</p>
<p>The DEC East Africa Appeal has been presented by actor Jason Isaacs, actor and comedian Lenny Henry, broadcaster and journalist Kate Adie, and actress Fay Ripley.</p>
<p>* The DEC member agencies are ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.</p>
<p>To make a donation to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal visit <a href="http://www.dec.org.uk" title="http://www.dec.org.uk">http://www.dec.org.uk</a>, call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word CRISIS to 70000.</p>
<p>* To make a postal donation make cheques payable to DEC, and mail to: PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA. </p>
<p>* Donations can be made at any high street bank.</p>
<p>* Donate at a Post Office by quoting Freepay 1562.</p>
<p>* To donate £5 by text send the word CRISIS to 70000. The full £5 will go to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal. Donors must be 16 years or over and have bill payers permission. Texts are free and donations will be added to the bill.</p>
<p>* Stay up to date with developments in East Africa, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/decappeal" title="http://twitter.com/decappeal">http://twitter.com/decappeal</a> or become a fan of Disasters-Emergency-Committee-DEC on Facebook. </p>
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Living EconomyNews BriefAfricachristian aiddecdisasters emergency committeeEast Africafaminehumanitarian crisishumanitarian reliefKenyarefugeesSomaliaWorld NewsWed, 13 Jul 2011 17:37:59 +0000staff writers15091 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukEast Africa: Behind the faminehttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15067
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<h1 class="title">East Africa: Behind the famine</h1>
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<p><a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15067" target="_blank">read more</a></p>Living EconomyNews BriefAfricacafodDevelopmentdroughtEast Africaemergency appealfamineHungerBlogThu, 07 Jul 2011 23:48:00 +0000Pascale Palmer15067 at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk